Elite Teaching in Dearborn Heights: Celebrating Star International Academy’s Nadine Bazzi

Star International Academy educator Nadine Bazzi has been recognized by IXL as one of the Elite 100 teachers worldwide for the 2024–25 academic year—an honor given to classrooms that achieve exceptional learning gains and engagement on IXL. The recognition highlights Metro Detroit’s diverse public schools, the creativity of Dearborn Heights teachers, and the power of community-rooted education to lift every student. [1][2]

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“Selected from over one million educators worldwide, IXL’s Elite 100 honors teachers whose classrooms achieved the most on IXL—standing out for innovation, creativity, and dedication to student success.”[1][2] IXL Learning+1

A Global Honor Rooted in a Local Classroom

This month, Star International Academy educator Nadine Bazzi received a letter from IXL notifying her selection to the Elite 100 for 2024–25, recognizing her classroom for top-tier achievement and engagement on IXL’s personalized learning platform. With more than a million teachers using IXL every year, inclusion in the Elite 100 is a true needle-in-a-haystack distinction. [2][3] PR Newswire+1

For Dearborn Heights and the broader Dearborn community, this recognition offers a snapshot of what public education can look like when it’s powered by teacher creativity, family engagement, and a community that champions learning. Star International Academy describes itself as a nationally recognized public school academy—and one of Michigan’s top high schools—serving a culturally rich student body with a global mindset. [8][9] Star International Academy+1

“Recognizing our top 100 teachers around the world… selected based on time spent per student.”[1] IXL Learning

In other words: this award isn’t about flashy tech for tech’s sake; it’s about consistent, student-centered practice—time on task, skill mastery, timely feedback, and a steady march toward proficiency across subjects.

What Is IXL’s Elite 100?

IXL’s Elite 100 is an annual recognition program—now more than a decade old—that spotlights educators whose students log significant, sustained progress on the platform. Press materials and blog announcements confirm that honorees are chosen from a vast pool of worldwide users, reflecting IXL’s reach and the diversity of its classrooms. [3][4][10][11] edtechroundup.org+3IXL Official Blog+3PR Newswire+3

• In 2024, IXL reported selecting the 100 educators from more than a million teachers globally. [3][12] IXL Official Blog+1
• The Elite 100 lists span multiple countries and U.S. states, highlighting both urban and rural schools. [4][10][12] PR Newswire+2PR Newswire+2
• The program has been running for years, with earlier releases citing hundreds of thousands of teachers in the early 2020s and growing into the million-plus range today—an indicator of IXL’s expanding footprint. [10][13][14] PR Newswire+2the Learning Counsel+2

For context, IXL positions itself as a comprehensive learning platform across math, ELA, science, social studies, and Spanish, with adaptive questions, skills progression, and analytics that help teachers differentiate instruction. [15] IXL Learning Recent materials from the company emphasize research-based efficacy and widespread adoption—17 million+ students and over a million teachers—with studies spanning all 50 states. [2] PR Newswire

Why This Matters in Dearborn Heights

Star International Academy’s mission speaks to a global perspective grounded in local care. SIA welcomes students from across Metro Detroit and has built a reputation for academic rigor blended with cultural literacy. [8][9][16] Star International Academy+2Star International Academy+2

The Elite 100 distinction confirms what many families and students already know: great teaching is happening here. It also provides a tangible, public marker of something our community values—equity through excellence. Personalized learning tools like IXL can help teachers meet a wide spectrum of student needs, including English learners and students with learning differences, especially in schools serving multilingual communities. [5] IXL Learning

“Our student body is a reflection of the diverse communities we serve within the Greater Detroit area.” — Star International Academy[9] Star International Academy

At Dearborn Blog, we celebrate educators who translate diversity into learning strength. When classroom tools are used thoughtfully—anchored by teacher judgment, not replacing it—students gain both core skills and confidence. This is what makes local honors like Ms. Bazzi’s global recognition so meaningful.

Teaching as Civic Infrastructure

Education is civic infrastructure. When a teacher in Dearborn Heights earns a global award, it’s not just a proud line for a résumé—it’s a testament to the ecosystem around that classroom: parents and guardians who reinforce skills at home; counselors and support staff who clear roadblocks; administrators who align resources; and neighbors who show up for school events.

This ecosystem is precisely what public education should be: a commons where every child’s learning matters. In our editorial voice—pro-Green Party platform and pro-human dignity—we focus on local wins that build long-term community flourishing. Recognitions like IXL’s Elite 100 are one pixel in a bigger picture of equitable, diverse, and joyful education.

What the Research (and Caution) Says

Platforms like IXL are most effective when implemented with fidelity—that means purposeful practice targets, data-informed instruction, and shared norms for usage. IXL’s own research memos offer usage recommendations and note the importance of teacher guidance in shaping how students engage with the platform. [17] IXL Learning

At the same time, Dearborn Blog keeps a clear-eyed stance: technology should serve pedagogy, never drive it. The Elite 100 recognition measures standout usage and progress within IXL’s ecosystem; it’s not the only signal of great teaching, but it is a compelling one—especially when paired with evidence of school-wide growth and a thriving school culture. [18][19] IXL Learning+1

The Local Context: Address, Community, and Pride

Star International Academy’s main campus and administration sit at 24425 Hass Street, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127—the mailing address included in the IXL letter to Ms. Bazzi regarding her award. [6][7] National Center for Education Statistics+1 That small, practical detail captures a beautiful truth: world-class teaching is happening right here, in a building our families drive past every day.

“Education must be rooted in community, so that learners see themselves in the curriculum and in the people who teach them.” — Dearborn Blog editorial voice

This is also a Dearborn story: a region shaped by migration, multilingual households, and a proud Arab-American presence. Public schools here, including SIA, knit the civic fabric—and awards like these are community awards too.

A Note on Values: Learning, Dignity, and Global Solidarity

Dearborn Blog has always stood for human dignity, inclusivity, and peace. We consistently advocate for equitable education as a core public good—and we stand pro-Palestine in the belief that all children, everywhere, deserve to learn in safety, with hope. Our region’s schools welcome students whose families carry histories of displacement and resilience. When a teacher is honored for helping students thrive, we read it as a win for solidarity—the daily practice of treating every student’s future as precious.

Educational justice is not abstract here. It is imparted lesson by lesson, skill by skill, confident answer by confident answer. Recognition from an international platform validates what families and students feel in their bones: great teachers change trajectories.

How Families Can Engage

For families at SIA and across Dearborn/Dearborn Heights who want to support classroom goals aligned with personalized learning tools:

1. Celebrate the small wins. Whether it’s a new math concept or improved reading stamina, name the progress.
2. Ask about targets. Teachers often set weekly skill goals for IXL practice; reinforce them at home. [17] IXL Learning
3. Balance screen time with conversation. The analytics are helpful, but so is asking, “What was hardest today—and how did you tackle it?”
4. Share language assets. Multilingual families can turn home languages into learning superpowers—vocabulary, stories, and cultural references are bridges, not barriers.
5. Show up. Attend family nights, volunteer, and connect with teachers. The most powerful learning accelerators still happen person-to-person.

Closing: A Dearborn Win with Global Echoes

From Hass Street to the world, congratulations to Ms. Nadine Bazzi and the Star International Academy community. The Elite 100 recognition is a spotlight on a daily discipline: patient, persistent, student-first teaching. This is what transforms classrooms into launching pads.

Dearborn Blog applauds this accomplishment—not as a one-off headline, but as part of an ongoing story of educators building futures in Metro Detroit. Public education is the heartbeat of a just, green, and peaceful society. Today, that heartbeat sounds like a cheer from Dearborn Heights: bravo.

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Block Quote: What IXL Says About Elite 100

“IXL is proud to recognize our Elite 100 teachers… Selected based on time spent per student, these educators stand out among over 1,000,000 teachers worldwide for their innovation, creativity, and dedication in guiding students toward academic success.”[1] IXL Learning

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Sources

1. IXL, “Elite 100 — Recognizing our top 100 teachers around the world.” IXL Resources (accessed Oct. 20, 2025). [https://www.ixl.com/resources/elite-100%5D%5B1] IXL Learning
2. IXL, “IXL’s effectiveness now proven in all 50 states.” PR Newswire, Aug. 19, 2025 (usage statistics: 17M+ students; 1M+ teachers). [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ixls-effectiveness-now-proven-in-all-50-states-302532906.html%5D%5B2] PR Newswire
3. IXL Official Blog, “Announcing the 2024 IXL Elite 100,” Feb. 10, 2025 (eleventh annual list). [https://blog.ixl.com/2025/02/10/announcing-the-2024-ixl-elite-100/%5D%5B3] IXL Official Blog
4. IXL, “Honor Roll: IXL Celebrates Top Tier Teachers With Annual Elite 100.” PR Newswire, Feb. 11, 2025. [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/honor-roll-ixl-celebrates-top-tier-teachers-with-annual-elite-100-302373154.html%5D%5B4] PR Newswire
5. IXL, “Product Facts Sheet” (PDF), approx. 2023 (global usage notes; 190+ countries). [https://www.ixl.com/assets/company/IXL-Product-Facts-Sheet.pdf%5D%5B5] IXL Learning
6. U.S. Dept. of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, “Star International Academy — District Directory Information,” 2023–24 (address and phone). [https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?ID2=2600228%5D%5B6] National Center for Education Statistics
7. Star International Academy, “Admissions/Enrollment” (contact & online enrollment info). [https://www.starpsa.org/enrollment/%5D%5B7] Star International Academy
8. Star International Academy, homepage (school profile & recognition). [https://www.starpsa.org/%5D%5B8] Star International Academy
9. Star International Academy, “About Us” (mission & diversity statement). [https://www.starpsa.org/about-us/%5D%5B9] Star International Academy
10. IXL, “IXL Awards Top Educators in Ninth Annual Elite 100,” PR Newswire, Jan. 17, 2023 (historical context; selection from 900,000 teachers). [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ixl-awards-top-educators-in-ninth-annual-elite-100-301721986.html%5D%5B10] PR Newswire
11. EdTech Roundup, “IXL Honors Top Users, Names Teachers to the Elite 100,” Dec. 4, 2017 (historical program background). [https://www.edtechroundup.org/editorials–press/ixl-honors-top-users-names-teachers-to-the-elite-100%5D%5B11] edtechroundup.org
12. IXL, “Press release: IXL’s Elite 100 2024” (PDF), Feb. 6, 2024 (selected from more than one million teachers worldwide). [https://www.ixl.com/materials/us/press/Press_release__IXL_s_Elite_100_2024.pdf%5D%5B12] IXL Learning
13. The Learning Counsel, “IXL Learning Honors Top Teachers in Fifth Annual Elite 100,” c. 2019–2020 (historical: 350,000 teachers). [https://thelearningcounsel.com/articles/industry-news/ixl-learning-honors-top-teachers-fifth-annual-elite-100/%5D%5B13] the Learning Counsel
14. IXL Learning, “Elite 100 — Press (2021)” (PDF), Jan. 6, 2021 (program description; implementation notes). [https://www.ixl.com/assets/company/Elite_100_2021_press_release.pdf%5D%5B14] IXL Learning
15. IXL, “IXL | Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish” (platform overview). [https://www.ixl.com/%5D%5B15] IXL Learning
16. Niche, “Star International Academy — Michigan” (district snapshot). [https://www.niche.com/k12/d/star-international-academy-mi/%5D%5B16] Niche
17. IXL, “Implementation Fidelity and Usage Recommendations” (PDF), 2022 (usage practices & teacher impact). [https://www.ixl.com/materials/us/research/IXL_Implementation_Fidelity_and_Usage_Recommendations.pdf%5D%5B17] IXL Learning
18. IXL Research portal (efficacy studies index). [https://www.ixl.com/membership/teachers/research%5D%5B18] IXL Learning
19. IXL, “ESSA Research Report” (PDF), Mar. 15, 2019 (historical usage & features). [https://www.ixl.com/research/ESSA-Research-Report.pdf%5D%5B19] IXL Learning

Additional source:
20. Correspondence: Letter to Ms. Nadine Bazzi from IXL Learning regarding Elite 100 award (2024–25 academic year). Provided to Dearborn Blog by the requester; on file with our editors. (Used to confirm recipient, campus address, and award notification timeline.)

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Editor’s Note on Verification

This article draws on public releases and official IXL resources to explain the Elite 100 program and to contextualize its significance for the Dearborn Heights community. The specific notification to Ms. Bazzi is based on a letter shared with Dearborn Blog and listed above as Correspondence [20]. We did not independently obtain the full 2024–25 honoree roster beyond IXL’s general announcements for the 2024 cycle. IXL Official Blog+1

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Disclaimer

Dearborn Blog is a community platform dedicated to thoughtful, objective, and values-driven reporting. While we celebrate achievements and advocate for equitable education, all views expressed here are for informational purposes only. We rely on publicly available sources and, when provided, direct correspondence from community members. We do not claim endorsement by IXL Learning, Star International Academy, or any other organization mentioned. Readers should verify details with the official school and IXL for the most current information. Dearborn Blog and its contributors assume no liability for actions taken based on this article.